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SHORELINE, Wash. -- A Shoreline man tried in court for the alleged theft of valuable art from a friend with declining health was acquitted by a jury last week in King County Superior Court.

George Chebanyuk was charged last May of first-degree theft, accused of taking more than a dozen paintings from Robert LaVigne, a Seattle artist whom Chebanyuk befriended and cared for after LaVigne suffered a heart attack.

One of the paintings included a self-portrait of Beat Generation writer and artist William S. Burroughs, as well as a nude by LaVigne presumably depicting Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg

Though Chebanyuk asserted the paintings were gifts, police accused him of stealing and trying to sell the works.

A jury deliberated four hours on Feb. 4 and returned a "not guilty" verdict.

The charge came nearly two years after police seized 11 pieces of art. Michael Jaworski, who served as LaVigne's power of attorney, reported the items stolen to police and believed more were missing.

Chebanyuk sued the Seattle Police Department for the return of the artwork in May 2013, but was slapped with a felony theft charge six days later.

According to a statement from Chebanyuk's attorney, David Ruzumna, Chebanyuk cared for LaVigne daily for two years and the pair had a romantic relationship. LaVigne gave the artwork to Chebanyuk as a token of his affection, he said.

However, Ruzumna said Jaworski drove Chebanyuk away from LaVigne and LaVigne left dozens of voicemails for him and sent several cards, telling him he missed him and asking him to come back to visit.

Meanwhile, LaVigne's health declined to the point that he could not recall giving the art to Chebanyuk. However, it was during this time police say LaVigne claimed some of his art was missing.

Though the court determined LaVigne was competent to testify in the trial against Chebanyuk, Ruzumna said, "he wasn't an accurate historian of what he'd given or not given."

"The jury could see that he wasn't competent," he said.

Ruzumna expects the civil lawsuit to get back on track in the near future so that Chebanyuk can get the paintings back from police.

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